 Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a vast area of sandstone canyons, plateaus, unique rock formations, rivers, and cliffs in southern Utah. In September, 1996, this 1.9 million acres of public land became the nation’s first national monument administered by the Bureau of Land Management (not the National Park Service).
The monument extends eastward from Bryce Canyon National Park to Capitol Reef National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It extends northward from the Arizona state line to the Dixie National Forest. Scenic Byway 12 winds through the northern portion, and backways branching from Scenic Byway 12 provide access to roads, hiking routes, and prominent features in the monument.
The monument is partly named for the Escalante River Canyons, which begin on the edge of Boulder Mountain and end at the Colorado River. Deep side canyons and gorges have been carved over eons of time. These sandstone labyrinths with unusual rock shapes and slot canyons offer some of the best hiking and backpacking in the world.
When early geologists saw the series of cliffs and plateaus rising 6,000 feet from the North Rim of Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon, they called it the Grand Staircase. Three billion years of geologic history make up the layers of sedimentary rocks. Each of the five “steps” has been eroded, revealing cliffs of distinctive color. Travelers can see portions of the Grand Staircase from several of the viewpoints in Bryce Canyon and from US 89.
The monument is a natural treasure of geologic wonders, fossils, animal, plant and insect life. It was home to the Anasazi and Fremont cultures and remains of their civilization are scattered throughout the area. It is a place of breathtaking vistas, desert flowers, canyons and plateaus, and scenery that changes with every turn. It is a place of solitude, color and light. It is also a recreational paradise for outdoor enthusiasts offering hiking, backpacking, fishing, 4-wheel driving, camping, horseback riding, ATV riding and mountain biking. Guided hikes and pack trips are available locally, as well as horseback riding, ATV, llama, and jeep tours.
When visiting Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
• The easiest way to see the monument is to drive Scenic Byway 12. The route offers a good visual experience from your vehicle.
• The best way to experience the beauty of the monument is to get out of your vehicle and explore. The area is hot in the summer, so plan accordingly, carry water, wear a hat and use sunscreen.
• Stop at the Interagency Visitor Center in Escalante (435-826-5499) or at the Cannonville Visitor Center (435-679-8981). Or call for current information, road conditions, maps, hiking information, etc.
• Many of the roads inside the monument are dirt and may become impassable when wet. Some roads require high clearance or 4-wheel drive vehicles.
• No services are available inside the monument. Have plenty of gasoline in your vehicle, and take food, water, and emergency supplies with you. |
Located nine miles south of Cannonville along paved roads, Kodachrome Basin State Park is a vividly colored geological area made up of numerous spectacular sand pipes or “petrified” geysers. This picturesque park has hiking trails, mountain biking, horseback riding, a small store, and a modern campground. Named by the National Geographic Society, Kodachrome Basin is also a photographer’s dream.
